Thelma Hill West Tanksley

Thelma Hill West Tanksley, 85, resident of Sikeston, Missouri, died Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.  She was born November 23, 1933 in New Madrid, Missouri to the late Otis and Eula Mae  Hill.

She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of West End Missionary Baptist Church in 1943 at the age of ten.  She served on the Mother's Board, as a Choir Director and the Secretary.  She was a devoted member who helped where ever needed in the church.  She was one of the oldest members at West End Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston, Missouri.

Thelma attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri and was employed by Headstart and DAEOC (Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation) as a teacher and social worker for many years.  This allowed her to meet and help many people. . She had a very open heart and was always there to help her community, whether giving away food to the hungry or helping and giving young mothers a place to stay. Mother Tanksley  was a pillar in her community. She was on the committee that started "Save Our Children" and "Return to Sunset."

Thelma enjoyed playing the piano and teaching others. She was a member of many gospel groups such as "The Cherubim's Faith and Spiritualettes.  She spent most of her days fishing. She sang for many church programs and was famous for her green beans and greens.

She was united in marriage to Lester O. West, Sr.  She later married Arthur Tanksley, who preceded her in death.

Because of her loving, opened heart she became a foster parent, and she and her husband, Arthur, owned a car wash.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is also preceded in death by one brother, Floyd Hill, Sr., one son, Vangele O. West, Sr. and several grandchildren; Monica West, Charles Clark, Jr. Justin Clark and JaMariel LaNique Tanksley.

She is survived by three sons, Pastor Undra T. (Berneice) West, and Lester O. West, Jr. of Sikeston, Missouri and Herschael W. (Veronica) Tanksley  of St. Louis, Missouri, three daughters, Vanessa West, Uneeda West and Salena Tanksley of Sikeston, Missouri, three granddaughters that she raised as her own, Tamara  (Friendeaser) West-Jackson of Calumet City, Illinois, Latisha ( Laumphiauma) West of Sikeston, Missouri and  Tabitha (Charles) West of Belleville, Illinois, a foster daughter, Earlene Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri,  a great granddaughter that spent most of her summers with her grandmother, Jameonia Harris of Sikeston, Missouri, two great grandsons whom she raised, Mitchell West of Sikeston, Missouri and  Jaurez  Floyd Johnson of Chicago, Illinois , a special nephew and niece, Pastor Samuel and Annette Gibson of Sikeston, Missouri, and  a host of grandchildren,  great grandchildren  and other relatives and friends.

Friends may call Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour of 1:00 P. M. at West End Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston, Missouri.

Interment will follow On Monday, October 7, 2019 at 11:00 A. M. at the Missouri State  Veteran Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with the Williams Funeral Home of Sikeston, Missouri in charge of arrangements.